The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-08-04
AUSTIN,
Her Public BuildIngs-The Asylum
for the Insane,

Her Public Bu1ldlngs-TheA Asylum
for the Insane.
A correspondent of the Fort Worth
Gazette, writing about Austin and its pub
lie buildings, says:
To one visiting this, the capital city of
our state, the points of interest in and
about it are so manifold, and each one in
itself so replete with that which causes one
to feel justly proud of our state govern
ment in all its various departments, that
it is no easy matter to decide which one
furnishes that character of news which is
of the deepest interest TO the people at
large.
One might fill columns of the news
paper with description of the new capt.
toll, soon to re-echo with the voices of
those who, sent thither by their various
constituents, are striving with most
laudable emulation to enact such laws as
will aid in putting down crime and fur
t;ering the material prosperity of the
state. The University, handicapped as it
is by the short sighted penny wise and
pound foolish financial policy of certain
demagogues, accomplishing for the states
educational interests more than was ever
dreamed of before, could furnish more
than sufficient for one correspondence to
the Gazette. And so l might enumerate
the other public institutions, which, by
the way, belong not to Austin, but to the
state, and hence in all matters pertaining
to these institutions it should be remem-
bered that whatever is of advantage to
them contributes pro tanto to the advan-
tage of the state at large, and not to any
one locality.
Concerning the asylum for the insane
the writer speaks as follows:
"After careful consideration, l believe
the work of no institution can appeal
moro to the nobler feelings of man that
of the retreat to which are consigned all
those whose reasoning powers are so I'M
paired as to render them no longer amena-
BILE TO the laws of God and man. This
work, far more than any other carried on
by the state, interests the citizen indi
vidually, not as part of any politico-
social fabric, but as a member of the
great human family. Hence, we should
know the character of this work, OF those
into whose hands it has been placed, and
whether it's chief characteristic is, as 1t
should be, mercy and pa fence for these
poor unfortunates.
Upon entering the grounds one can but
feel that nature has more than per-
| formed her part towards providing site
| in every way adapted to the work in hand;
and, when coupled with the efforts of
man, as made manifest in the improve
ments already made in the grounds, and
those continually being made, one feels
convinced that, if the inner workings of
the asylum be in accord with the outer
appearance of nature, the people of the
state can rest assured that all is we'll with
those so fearfully afflicted.
We were received most cordially by the
officers of the institution, and were made
| fullest meaning of the term, were in
charge. The present administration con-
sists OF appointees of Governor Ross,
they taking possession on the 9TH of last
February. The superintendent, DR.. j. s.
Dorset, has, as unquestionably evidenced
by his work, proven himself well worthy
of this great charge entrusted to him by
the governor; and reckoning of his
stewardship would entitle him and his able
coworkers to the reward due those
who have faithfully performed their
duty.
After a detailed description of the
bui dings and their interior arrangements,
and the management of the patients,
which is very highly compimentei for
thoroughness and efficiency, the cor
respondent continues:
"The last legislature, in its wisdom, saw
fit to reduce the appropriation for this
institution-to which the state should al
ways give of its abundance freely and
willingly; and the present administration
deserves the highest credit for its ability
to economize and reduce the running ex-
penses within the meagre amount fur,
nished. This work, above all others, de-
mands of the state liberal policy. Let
such men as compose the present admin
istration direct it, and the state can vel
afford to say, Estate your needs, and they
shall be supplied" without the least feal
of waste or extravaganza.
In closing this letter I can but mention
, few of DR.. Dorset's staff, who are &C
ably aiding him in his great work. His
chief assistant physician, DR.. John Pres
, ton, is graduate of the University q
Virginia and Bellevue hospital. He prac
ticed his profession in eRuin until thii
position was offered him, without any so
licitation on his part. He brought will
him reputation as a physician and sur
geon second to none in the state.
q DR.. Davis second assistant is als'
efficient in his position. The supervisor
Mr.. b. w. Walker, of Cisco, and his mos
r worthy wife, the supervisoress, have prove,
d themselves invaluable, untiring and un
s ceasing in discharging their laboriou
Y duties. The steward and bookkeeper, MI
: R. p. Ball, of Bonham, is but anothe
r proof of DR.. Dorset's ability to read me-
l. and estimate their worth. His RESPONSE
= bilities are many and heavy, but the cas-
), with which they are borne, and the abso
% Lutte correctness of his work, demonstrat
II his peculiar fitness for the work; and so
% might continue mentioning each one b
g name, but space and time forbid. Finally
I let me say to one and all, come and Sc
e this work, where 600 poor unfortunate
r. through the llberality of our state. hay
J.. obtained in verify a retreat from tn
10 world; and he will depart with deep fee
% ing of pride for this greatest Of NOM
ls ments of the states philanthropy.
h Those unhappy persons who suffer froI
T. nervousness and dyspepsia should us